This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-13044322

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Church of England in 'sham marriage' crackdown Church of England in 'sham marriage' crackdown
(about 4 hours later)
The Church of England is to issue new guidance to clergy in an attempt to reduce the number of sham marriages.The Church of England is to issue new guidance to clergy in an attempt to reduce the number of sham marriages.
In future, couples will have to apply for a licence if either the bride or groom is from a non-European country.In future, couples will have to apply for a licence if either the bride or groom is from a non-European country.
Members of the clergy are also being urged to report any suspicions they have that the marriage is not genuine.Members of the clergy are also being urged to report any suspicions they have that the marriage is not genuine.
Over the past nine months, 155 people have been arrested in the UK as a result of investigations into both church and civil ceremonies.Over the past nine months, 155 people have been arrested in the UK as a result of investigations into both church and civil ceremonies.
The new guidance advises clergy not to publish banns - where a couple's intention to marry is read out in church - for marriages involving a man or a woman from a non-European country.The new guidance advises clergy not to publish banns - where a couple's intention to marry is read out in church - for marriages involving a man or a woman from a non-European country.
Instead, it says couples should apply for a "common licence", which involves the swearing of affidavits and classes.Instead, it says couples should apply for a "common licence", which involves the swearing of affidavits and classes.
The guidance issued by the House of Bishops - one of three houses in the General Synod - has UK Border Agency agreement.The guidance issued by the House of Bishops - one of three houses in the General Synod - has UK Border Agency agreement.
It says if a member of the clergy is not satisfied that the marriage is genuine, he or she must make that clear to the person responsible for granting the licence.It says if a member of the clergy is not satisfied that the marriage is genuine, he or she must make that clear to the person responsible for granting the licence.
Clergy should "immediately" report a couple to diocesan legal officers if they insist on having banns read rather than applying for a common licence under the guidance.Clergy should "immediately" report a couple to diocesan legal officers if they insist on having banns read rather than applying for a common licence under the guidance.
'Right direction''Right direction'
The Church said clergy who refuse to conduct a wedding as a result of the guidance would not be considered guilty of misconduct.The Church said clergy who refuse to conduct a wedding as a result of the guidance would not be considered guilty of misconduct.
Vicars have also been urged to contact the police immediately should they feel they are being threatened or pressured to carry out a marriage.Vicars have also been urged to contact the police immediately should they feel they are being threatened or pressured to carry out a marriage.
The Right Reverend John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, said: "The House of Bishops is clear that the office of holy matrimony must not be misused by those who have no intention of contracting a genuine marriage.The Right Reverend John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, said: "The House of Bishops is clear that the office of holy matrimony must not be misused by those who have no intention of contracting a genuine marriage.
"The purpose of this guidance and direction from the bishops to the clergy and to those responsible for the grant of common licences is, therefore, to prevent the contracting of sham marriages in the Church of England," he said."The purpose of this guidance and direction from the bishops to the clergy and to those responsible for the grant of common licences is, therefore, to prevent the contracting of sham marriages in the Church of England," he said.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said while the exact numbers were not known, "some clergy, in some parishes in cities" were being asked on a "fairly frequently basis" to conduct sham marriages.
The new rules would protect the clergy from being "conned" and those couples who were "genuinely seeking marriage", he added.
LoopholesLoopholes
Immigration minister Damian Green, who has backed the guidance, said the UK Border Agency already worked "very closely" with the Church to investigate and disrupt suspected sham weddings but the new advice was "another step in the right direction".Immigration minister Damian Green, who has backed the guidance, said the UK Border Agency already worked "very closely" with the Church to investigate and disrupt suspected sham weddings but the new advice was "another step in the right direction".
"Increasing enforcement action has resulted in 155 arrests across the country, and would-be fraudsters should remember that a marriage itself does not equal an automatic right to remain in the UK," he said."Increasing enforcement action has resulted in 155 arrests across the country, and would-be fraudsters should remember that a marriage itself does not equal an automatic right to remain in the UK," he said.
Criminal gangs behind sham marriages had in the past exploited the ease with which the Church would marry people, he said.Criminal gangs behind sham marriages had in the past exploited the ease with which the Church would marry people, he said.
But the new guidance made it necessary for vicars to take action, and removed easily exploitable "loopholes", he added.But the new guidance made it necessary for vicars to take action, and removed easily exploitable "loopholes", he added.
Last September the Reverend Alex Brown, 61, was jailed for four years for his part in a sham marriage fraud which helped hundreds of illegal immigrants stay in Britain.Last September the Reverend Alex Brown, 61, was jailed for four years for his part in a sham marriage fraud which helped hundreds of illegal immigrants stay in Britain.
He abused his position to marry hundreds of African men to Eastern European women at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.He abused his position to marry hundreds of African men to Eastern European women at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.
A Church of England spokesman said no more than a "handful" of clergy were currently suspended pending police investigations into alleged sham marriages.A Church of England spokesman said no more than a "handful" of clergy were currently suspended pending police investigations into alleged sham marriages.
"The vast majority of the 155 arrests mentioned by the immigration minister are of couples and their facilitators," he said."The vast majority of the 155 arrests mentioned by the immigration minister are of couples and their facilitators," he said.